New regulations now require federal agencies to use only third-party certified electronic waste recyclers for disposing e-waste

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The U.S. General Service Administration (GSA) recently released new regulations for federal agencies to use third-party certified electronic waste recyclers rather than dispose of e-waste in landfills. AQA International, a wholly owned subsidiary of NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR/AQA) and leader in environmental management systems registrations, is one of only a few organizations able to provide electronic waste recycling certification.

The new government guidelines ban federal agencies from disposing electronic waste into landfills. The regulations mirror the U.S. government’s commitment to environmental protection and highlights the growing amount of e-waste (e.g. cellular phones, computers, etc.) being dumped in landfills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. discards over 3 million tons of electronic products annually and only about 13 percent is recycled.*

If reuse is not an option, companies must send electronics to third-party certified e-waste recyclers that have met certification standards such as e-Stewards or Responsible Recycling Practices (R2).These standards include guidelines that define responsible and effective e-waste management.This is essential as the absence of responsible recycling processes may result in the release of toxic emissions and pose serious health and environmental concerns.

“The new guidelines requiring federal agencies to use third-party certified e-waste recyclers is another positive step towards protecting human health and the environment,” said Tony Giles, NSF-ISR Director of Business Development.

“To help meet these guidelines, NSF-ISRprovides e-waste recycling certification solutions,” said Stacey Blazik, AQA/NSF-ISR International Business Development Manager. “Certified recyclers will be recognized as meeting the highest standards and will encourage more companies to address the growing problem of electronic waste in landfills.”

About NSF International: NSF International is an independent public health and safety organization that writes standards, tests and certifies products for the food, water and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide and operates in more than 150 countries. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.